Not to speak for the other person, but language like "You don't have to be a severe stutterer.", can be very discouraging. I was a very severe stutterer, and I probably still qualify as severe today. I tried load of therapy and hours and hours of practicing to no avail. Whenever I heard celebrities or the like saying they no longer stutter and they worked hard I just felt broken and I was a total colossal failure. Did I just not want it "bad enough" and that's why I am still severe? I guess my point is, of course there are ways to improve your speech, but it's not always a choice to become less severe. Everyone is different. There are so many variables besides stuttering severity (environment, upbringing, genetics, etc). Edit: you suggest, you don't have to be a severe stutterer, but I would suggest being a severe stutterer is acceptable as well. Maybe not for you, but it can suit others just fine.